"We needed a good goal difference from this match because tomorrow Thailand play Palestine. So we needed to score as many goals as we could to secure first place in our group. We'd prefer to be first, that's why. I believe that not only Japan, but also Thailand has a strong team too,” Mozafar told the-AFC.com.

"I think Japan, Thailand and Iran can be champion of this tournament. So we are thinking not just about Japan, but Thailand has the same chances."